This Saturday, BTA and Portland Transportation Options volunteers gave out 300 bike bells on the Eastbank Esplanade as part of our “I Share the Path” event. The bells were all generously donated by River City Bicycles, and Staccato Gelato brought a bike-freezer and donated 50 scoops of ice cream to bicyclists with bells on their bikes. 
The event was meant to be Pavolovian – associate bike bell ringing with the sweet taste of Staccato Gelato, and the minds of the populace will be easily molded to our nefarious plan…the nefarious plan of harmonious and polite interactions among bicyclists and pedestrians on trails, that is! Ha ha ha ha ha…..MWAH ha ha ha ha…
Saturday’s educational event was also the launch of the City of Portland’s “Share the Path” flyer, which contains tips for path manners that anyone who’s been buzzed close by a fast-moving cyclist or nearly clotheslined by a dog leash will appreciate.
While a few very fast moving bicyclists and runners didn’t want to stop, most people responded quickly to the word “free” and let us install a bell on their bike, talked to us about how and when to use it, picked up some bike maps and enjoyed some ice cream.
Big thanks to BTA and Transportation Options volunteers, River City Bicycles, and Staccato Gelato for making this educational event possible!
It was such a fun event! I would definitely volunteer for another share the path event, and recommend it to others.